South Australian missionary John Short deported from North Korea

SOUTH Australian missionary John Short has told his wife that “I need to see you”, after his unexpected release from North Korea, where he was held on charges of distributing religious material in the atheist state.

Thanking God for his release, Karen Short said the couple will return to South Australia soon and relatives here are planning celebrations, following the 75-year-old’s deportation and his reading of a “confession” to admit he had offended the hardline communist state.

Mr Short was flown to Beijing in neighbouring China after 15 days under arrest in Pyangyong and is expected to soon return to Hong Kong, where he and his wife now live and base their missionary work.

His arrest became an international incident after it was revealed by The Advertiser and there had been fears he could spend the rest of his life in a prison or a labour camp as punishment for distributing Christian literature

A picture released by North Korea's official Central News Agency shows SA missionary JohnSource:AFP

Mrs Short, 57, said the weeks of knowing nothing of her husband’s fate had been “an ordeal”, but her prayers and those of thousands of worldwide supporters had come true.

“He just said, ‘I need to see you’,” she said from the office of the couple’s Christian book publishing firm in Hong Kong.

READ THE APOLOGY BELOW

“It’s been quite an ordeal, but I knew he was in God’s hands.”

Mrs Short said she would probably be joining her husband in Beijing before they return to Hong Kong and that she expected them to now keep their existing plans to visit South Australia next month.

“He needs a few days to pause and think about what’s happened,” she said.

“He’s looking thinner in the face, but looks OK.”

John Short leave walks the Beijing International Airport terminal after his release fromSource:AP

“We wanted to come and visit family and friends for the 50th anniversary of John leaving (South Australia) for Hong Kong,” Mrs Short added.

“Now this will be the greatest celebration of all.”

North Korea deported the 75-year-old yesterday claiming his “advanced age” was the reason.

He was arrested and taken into custody by North Korean security on the second day of a four-day tourist visit last month on the grounds he was distributing religious material.

US businessman Kenneth Bae remains in North Korea, having served 21 months of a 15-year sentence with hard labour for a similar offence.

The Korean Central News Agency released a statement purporting to be an apology from Mr Short, with footage of him reading it aloud.

The apology refers to Mr Short “spreading my Bible tracts” on February 16th, the birthday of former leader Kim Jong Il.

SA missionary freed from North KoreaSource:AFP

John Short leave walks the Beijing International Airport terminal after his release fromSource:AP

“The people of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) regard February 16th as the greatest national holiday,’’ Mr Short read.

“I now realise the seriousness of my insult to the Korean people on February 16 because I made the Korean people angry … and for this I truly apologise,’’ Mr Short said.

The Shorts have plans toplan to stay in South Australia with close friends at a property near Strathalbyn. Their three children, Samuel, Joseph and Benjamin, all live in Australia.

Mr Short’s niece, Karen Byrnes, a well-knownnoted horse trainer at Murray Bridge, thinks there will be a few parties.

As news of the imminent release emerged, she had a message for “Uncle John”.

She said the entire family had endured a lot of “sleepless nights” since Mr Short’s detainment.

“Especially Karen his wife with all the media she’s had to deal with,” she added.

“Hopefully, they’ll be here soon (in South Australia) and we can throw a big party.”

A photo released by North Korea shows John Short’s apology.Source:AP

Apology

The following statement has been released by North Korean authorities and purports to be an apology by SA missionary, John Short:

I am John Alexander Short living in Hong Kong and a citizen of Australia.

I violated the independent right and offended against the law of the DPRK.

I knew that my actions would offend the independent right and would be against the law of the DPRK.

I wanted more Korean people to be Christians therefore I secretly spread Bible tracts written by me.

I heard from the TV and newspaper reports that the DPRK is the closest closed socialist country in the world.

I heard from the reports the religious freedom is not in North Korea. And that foreigners are not welcome to visit or attend for the Church.

In the process of hearing the reports I questioned if it was true.

In early 2012 I requested Mr Paul Baek to translate my Bible tract into the Korean language.

Mr Paul Baek is a business man from South Korea.

I designed my Bible tracts in small size for spreading easier into Korea-DPRK.

I entered the DPRK in August 2012 and personally carried a few Bible tracts and my own personal Bible.

I was interested to see if I could possibly carry more on another occasion.

I committed the criminal act against the law of the DPRK by spreading my Bible tracts in Pyongyang underground station on the train.

John Short reads outs his apology at an unknown location in North Korea.Source:AP

My mind was to make sure that I could spread more of my Bible tracts on another occasion. After that my feeling was I could spread more easier next time.

In February 2014 I came as a tourist to DPRK to spread my Bible tracts in a larger quantity.

On February 16, I visited the Popun temple and committed a criminal act by secretly spreading my Bible tracts around the temple.

I deeply apologise for what I have done by spreading my Bible tracts on February 16th, the birthday of His Excellency Kim Jong Il. The people of the DPRK regard February 16th as the greatest national holiday.

I now realise the seriousness of my insult to the Korean people on February 16th because I made the Korean people angry and for this I truly apologise.

I realise that my actions are an indelible hostile act against the independent right and law of the DPRK.